Matching Items (408)
Description
My Barrett Honors Thesis Paper synthesizes three components of my Thesis Project, which demonstrates the process of developing strong research from the beginning stage of investigation of a problem to implementation of an intervention to address that problem. Specifically, I engaged in research on the topic of mathematics and students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). My review of the literature demonstrated a current dearth in the knowledge on effective interventions in math for this population of students. As part of my project, I developed and implemented an intervention to address the problem and help improve the knowledge base in the fields of autism and mathematics. Through the initial research process it was determined that students with autism spectrum disorders are being included more frequently in the general educational setting, and are therefore increasingly expected to access and master core curricular content, including mathematics. However, mathematics often presents challenges to students with ASD. Therefore, the first part of my Thesis Project is a comprehensive literature review that synthesized eleven studies of mathematics intervention strategies for students with ASD. Researching the current literature base for mathematics interventions that have been implemented with students with ASD and finding only eleven studies that met the inclusionary criteria led to the writing of the second part of my Thesis Project. In this second portion, I present how three research-based practices for students with autism, self-management, visual supports, and peer-mediated instruction, can be implemented in the context of teaching a higher-level mathematics skill, algebraic problem solving, specifically to students with ASD. By employing such strategies, teachers can assist their students with ASD to benefit more fully from mathematics interventions, which in turn may help them strengthen their mathematics skills, increase independence when completing problems, and use acquired skills in community or other applied settings. As part of the second portion of my Thesis Project, I developed a visual support strategy called COSMIC (a mnemonic device to guide learners through the steps of algebraic problem solving) to help aid students with ASD when solving simple linear equations. With the goal of contributing to the current research base of mathematics interventions that can support students with ASD, for the final part of Thesis Project I worked with a local middle school teacher to assist her in implementing our COSMIC intervention with her student with ASD. Results indicated the student improved in his algebraic problem solving skills, which suggests additional interventions with students with ASD to be recommended as part of future research.
ContributorsCleary, Shannon Taylor (Author) / Barnett, Juliet (Thesis director) / Farr, Wendy (Committee member) / Department of Finance (Contributor) / School of Film, Dance and Theatre (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2015-12
Description
The objective of the study is to examine the factors of a successful diversity program within four companies that attempt to break down the barriers contributing to the lack of diversity within the design and technical field of theatre. Companies in different regions of the United States (West, Midwest, South, and Northeast) were selected and analyzed for their fellowship, apprenticeship, internship, and educational program in order to see why it is successful and how it contributes to diversifying the design and technical field of theatre. The findings of the study provide a guide to the best practices used in establishing a design and production program that can contribute to diversifying the theatre industry.
ContributorsFox, Neaco (Author) / Winnemann, Christopher (Thesis director) / Ingram-Waters, Mary (Committee member) / School of Film, Dance and Theatre (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
Informal caregivers to persons with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) commonly experience high levels of perceived burden, stress, and low quality of life— outcomes that negatively affect the quality of care provided. Yet to be explored are the effects of heart-focused breathing, a self-regulation deep breathing technique, on perceived caregiver burden and heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of autonomic nervous system function. Considering the high attrition rates of many previous in-person AD caregiver interventions, it may be necessary to implement an online intervention to address perceived caregiver burden. This study aimed to test the trends in effects of a 2-week online heart-focused breathing intervention using HeartMath’s Heart Lock-In® technique on perceived caregiver burden, perceived stress, quality of life, anxiety, inner haven, self-compassion, and HRV in a population of AD caregivers. Ten informal AD caregivers participated in the study with five participants randomized into the waitlist control group and five into the intervention group. The intervention group practiced a 10-minute heart-focused breathing protocol using their smart device (i.e., phone) every day for a 2-week period. Participants completed pre- and post- self-report questionnaires online via Google Forms and HRV assessments via the Welltory mobile application. The HRV assessments measured rMSSD, high frequency, and low frequency. The intervention group did not experience improvements related to perceived caregiver burden, perceived stress, anxiety, inner haven or high frequency waves. However, the study results suggest positive trends in quality of life, self-compassion, rMSSD, and low frequency waves among the AD caregivers. Additional research within a larger and more diverse population is needed.
Keywords: Informal Alzheimer’s caregivers, perceived caregiver burden, heart-focused breathing, heart rate variability
Keywords: Informal Alzheimer’s caregivers, perceived caregiver burden, heart-focused breathing, heart rate variability
ContributorsJames, Taylor Anne (Author) / Larkey, Linda K. (Thesis director) / James, Darith (Committee member) / Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
Regardless of religious beliefs, all one has left when they leave this Earth is the meaning the individual has derived from building connections and relationships with other people. I propose whether or not one is able to reach his or her potential and the quality of life that follows is based inherently in the following question: How will you manifest your truth into reality, thus becoming the best at your profession or craft, and spreading your gifts to help the lives of others? The answer to this question, and ultimately the key to leading the best life available is in the equation: vulnerability through playfulness and connection instigates happiness, which results in spreading positivity and facilitating the ability to make fearless decisions that guides one's life as an artist or profession of one's choosing, leading one to their highest potential. This theory applies to everyone and does not discriminate. This is the beginning of a life-long exploration and discovery with these elements as I further my work as an artist, and I will explore these themes from my exposure to the Balinese people and culture, our theatre workshops and experiences there, and through additional inspiration and research. The workshop and clowning in Bali training helped form the theory I have proposed, and further introduced a different approach to acting that I utilize in my own work that incorporates taksu: an achievable state of being that is unanimously understood by the Balinese that influences and shapes how they approach life, work, and each other that I discuss more extensively in my work. I will continue to inquire about how one finds space for imagination and pursuit of taksu without traveling, although traveling is an amazing way to broaden one's scope of perspective. The combination of elements discussed and taksu help create a humanity that is more in touch with inner peace and happiness as a result of spreading both positivity and a positive mindset to others. This in turn, influences and shapes performance and how we approach the craft of acting, while creating emotional truth and integrity within one's craft.
ContributorsSwim, Hannah Grace (Author) / Espinosa, Micha (Thesis director) / de la Garza, Amira (Committee member) / School of Film, Dance and Theatre (Contributor) / W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2018-05
DescriptionThis paper explores what lifestyle choices college students can take from the six longevity hotspots of the world to increase their happiness, and in turn potentially add a few years to their lives.
ContributorsKenehan, Bryn (Author) / Giasson, Hannah (Thesis director) / Barth, Chrissy (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
This duo thesis is an autoethnography of what it means to be Filipino-American in the United States. Being raised in varying backgrounds yet with the similarity of being Filipino, there are aspects of our lives that are simultaneously similar and different. The goal of this project is the exploration of one’s cultural, familial and personal identities and how they intersect with their individuality and sense of belonging. Through this project, we documented our experience as Filipinos in the United States and our travel back to the Philippines and showcased it through videos. It is a means to document our reflections on this project to share with the Filipino community and individuals who share the same sentiments.
ContributorsTamayo, Rianne Daisy (Author) / Onayan, Youla Tricia (Co-author) / O'Flaherty, Katherine (Thesis director) / Fedock, Rachel (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
This duo thesis is an autoethnography of what it means to be Filipino-American in the United States. Being raised in varying backgrounds yet with the similarity of being Filipino, there are aspects of our lives that are simultaneously similar and different. The goal of this project is the exploration of one’s cultural, familial and personal identities and how they intersect with their individuality and sense of belonging. Through this project, we documented our experience as Filipinos in the United States and our travel back to the Philippines and showcased it through videos. It is a means to document our reflections on this project to share with the Filipino community and individuals who share the same sentiments.
ContributorsOnayan, Youla Tricia (Author) / Tamayo, Rianne Daisy (Co-author) / O'Flaherty, Katherine (Thesis director) / Fedock, Rachel (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
This thesis explores the importance of preoperative patient education on peripheral nerve blocks in improving informed consent and expanding the patient's role in their care. It looks at the impact of providing patients with education on the procedure, expected outcomes and post-operative care so they fully understand what to expect during this procedure. By showcasing the importance of informed consent and shared decision-making between healthcare staff and patients, this thesis demonstrates the ability for improved health outcomes through expansion of preoperative nerve block education.
ContributorsVelez, Annasophia (Author) / Day, Kim (Thesis director) / Hagler, Debra (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation (Contributor)
Created2024-05